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The 14 Breakfast & Brunch Recipes You Need to Try Right Now

published Feb 24, 2024
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condensed milk being poured over French toast
Credit: Photo: Chris Simpson; Food Styling: Pearl Jones; Prop Styling: Paige Hicks

Breakfast is a fresh-baked, sizzling, rich, cinnamon-swirled state of mind that represents the start to a very good day. In this sense, it is indeed the most important meal. So whether you’re about to head into work and need something quick or you’ve got some time to cook up something decadent, make it count.

We tested and tasted recipes from all over — sweet rolls, pancakes, bacon, eggs galore, and more — to come up with our list of the 14 recipes we think everyone needs to try. With them, you are well on your way to a life of cooking and eating well. And who knows? You may become a morning person.

1 / 14
The Scrambled Eggs | Brown Butter Soft Scrambled Eggs

One Saturday morning, contributor Lish Steiling left her butter in the pan for a little longer than she meant to — and brown butter scrambled eggs were born. We're grateful for that delicious happy accident and are even happier to share it with you, so we can all make our breakfasts better.

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2 / 14
The Pancake | Fonio Pancakes

When it came to choosing the pancake recipe, we were torn between this recipe by Associate Food Editor Nicole Rufus and our ever-popular lofty buttermilk stack. Although the latter will never let you down, Nicole's is the recipe we urgently want everyone to make. Fonio, an ancient grain native to West Africa, has a slightly nutty flavor that lends itself well to pancakes. Plus, it makes them fluffy to the max.

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3 / 14
The Dutch Baby | The Ultimate Strawberry Dutch Baby

Level up your Dutch baby game with butter-roasted strawberries and lemony sugar. The craggy, caramelized edges and the custardy center will haunt you until you inevitably make this recipe again next weekend.

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4 / 14
The Waffles | Liège Waffles

Liège waffles are here for all of your very special weekend breakfasts. Made with a dough similar to brioche, the batter cooks up super thick and fluffy, but it's the pearl sugar inside the dough that creates breakfast magic. As the waffle cooks, the coarse sugar melts and caramelizes to create crunchy little pockets that make these waffles extra fun to eat.

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5 / 14
The Breakfast Casserole | Make-Ahead Spinach and Feta Egg Casserole

Whether you're hosting family for the holidays or gathering friends for brunch, a make-ahead casserole is always a good idea. This recipe — which is packed with spinach, feta, and fresh dill — is giving serious spanakopita vibes.

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The Sweet Roll | Spicy Sticky Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing

We learned in 2022 to pour heavy cream over a pan of Pillsbury cinnamon rolls for Cinnabon-like results. And although it's a great time-saving hack, nothing compares to freshly baked, from-scratch sweet rolls. Warm and decadent, these spice-fragrant rolls have a crunchy sugar glaze on the bottom and creamy icing on top. All it takes (all it ever takes, really) is a little extra butter and a little extra sugar.

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The Bacon | Oven Bacon

Yes, it's a recipe for bacon. Because it's that important. Unhand the skillet and use this simple, hassle-free oven method instead. Need more convincing? "Make it once or twice and you'll have this one down pat. It's totally foolproof and IMO there is no other way," says Senior Contributing Food Editor Kelli Foster.

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The Fancy Egg | Persian Eggs

Borani esfenaj, a Persian yogurt dip with spinach and garlic, acts as the base for poached eggs in this picture-perfect breakfast dish. A drizzle of Aleppo-infused brown butter makes the dish seem extra fancy, but it's incredibly easy to make. Serve with plenty of crusty toasted bread for dipping.

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9 / 14
The Breakfast Sandwich | Mantou Egg Sandwich

Studio Food Editor, Jessie YuChen's, idea of the perfect breakfast sandwich? A pillowy mantou bun, scrambled eggs (with lots of scallions!), a splash of savory soy paste, cheese, and pork floss.

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10 / 14
Credit: Kitchn
The Omelet | “Inside-Out” Omelet

TikTok made us do it, and we've never been more grateful. The technique is ingenious: Melt shredded cheese directly in the pan before adding the eggs for frico-like deliciousness.

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The French Toast | Hong Kong-Style French Toast

French toast is great, but you know what's better? This double-decker version inspired by what's served in Hong Kong street cafes. Stuffed with peanut butter, deep-fried, then drizzled with sweetened condensed milk, this is the best you’ll ever have.

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The Scone | Easy Chocolate Chip Scones

We think of these breakfast treats as the marriage of cream scones and chocolate chip cookies. And have we mentioned that they're also easy? Do as Senior Lifestyle Editor, Mara Weinraub, does and freeze the dough in wedges so you can bake them off individually when you want a freshly baked pastry.

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The Ultimate Weekend Brunch | Huevos Rancheros

Lightly fried corn tortillas topped with refried beans and warm, runny fried eggs always hit the spot. This family recipe, shared by contributor Vianney Rodriguez, is an editor favorite. Although you can use any salsa you like, we strongly recommend making Vianney's ranchero salsa.

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Credit: Kitchn
The Make-Ahead Weekday Staple | Early Bird Granola

Why is this granola SO GOOD? We think it's probably the 1/2 cup of olive oil. As contributor and Early Bird stan Jesse Szewczyk says, "This was, hands-down, the best granola I have ever had. The moment I mixed the olive oil into the oats I knew something special was happening. The olive oil, coconut, and maple syrup combine to create the most alluring scent imaginable." So go forth and granola!

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This article originally published on The Kitchn. See it there: The 14 Breakfast & Brunch Recipes You Need to Try Right Now